[Merlindach]

I’d greatly appreciate some help! I just got my 8 week old miniature dachshund. He is wonderful but will barely eat- especially the food his breeder had him on (hills science) I’ve been switching him to Carna4 and he seems be more enthusiastic about that. The thing is, he still never finishes his food. I want to give exact calculations. I try to feed him 2/3-3/4 cup of food every day. After he “finishes” his meal, I remeasure to determine how much he eats. He is eating roughly 1/3 cup of food the whole day. Is this enough? He is only 3.4 lbs but the calculations that the breeder gave and the recommendations on the bags of food have him eating double that. Can 1/3 cup really be enough for him? He is eating 2 tablespoons or so every meal.

 

[LeoRose]

What does he look like? Thin? Pudgy? Just about right? Are you softening the food? How big are the kibbles? Does he seem to have trouble crunching them if they aren't softened?

 

[Merlindach]

What does he look like? Thin? Pudgy? Just about right? Are you softening the food? How big are the kibbles? Does he seem to have trouble crunching them if they aren't softened?

He looks about right..this is my first dachshund so I don’t really have a comparison, and have only had him for 4 days so I don’t know if he’s look drastically different over the course of 4 days. He’s furry but you can feel his ribs and his waist definitely goes in. I have been pulverizing his kibble into more bite-sized pieces, putting topper on his meals, and wetting his food so he can chew easier. These things seemed to have aided his eating. He’s excited for his meals but never eats the full thing-I’m worried he might have partial anorexia.

 

[LeoRose]

It could just be that he's full, then. Small dog, small tummy. I would be feeding at least four meals a day at this age for a smaller breed puppy. Also, don't forget that he's still trying to adjust to being away from his mom and siblings, and getting used to all the new things with you.

 

[stbob]

I’d greatly appreciate some help! I just got my 8 week old miniature dachshund. He is wonderful but will barely eat- especially the food his breeder had him on (hills science) I’ve been switching him to Carna4 and he seems be more enthusiastic about that. The thing is, he still never finishes his food. I want to give exact calculations. I try to feed him 2/3-3/4 cup of food every day. After he “finishes” his meal, I remeasure to determine how much he eats. He is eating roughly 1/3 cup of food the whole day. Is this enough? He is only 3.4 lbs but the calculations that the breeder gave and the recommendations on the bags of food have him eating double that. Can 1/3 cup really be enough for him? He is eating 2 tablespoons or so every meal.

When i got my boy Bosco at 8 weeks old, it was only eating very little at a time. Although you say your pup "looks about right", mine was the runt and most could clearly see he was underweight. After consulting with a vet, which is important for each individual case, i was given the green light to free feed for the first several months. At around the six month mark, the pup easily transitioned over to scheduled feedings...

 

[Merlindach]

It could just be that he's full, then. Small dog, small tummy. I would be feeding at least four meals a day at this age for a smaller breed puppy. Also, don't forget that he's still trying to adjust to being away from his mom and siblings, and getting used to all the new things with you.

What does he look like? Thin? Pudgy? Just about right? Are you softening the food? How big are the kibbles? Does he seem to have trouble crunching them if they aren't softened?

What does he look like? Thin? Pudgy? Just about right? Are you softening the food? How big are the kibbles? Does he seem to have trouble crunching them if they aren't softened?

I thought so, too. I’ve been feeding him 3 meals a day so I will add one more and see if he eats any! Thanks!

 

[Merlindach]

When i got my boy Bosco at 8 weeks old, it was only eating very little at a time. Although you say your pup "looks about right", mine was the runt and most could clearly see he was underweight. After consulting with a vet, which is important for each individual case, i was given the green light to free feed for the first several months. At around the six month mark, the pup easily transitioned over to scheduled feedings...

Wow, I hadn’t thought about that- I saw his vet the day after I got him and told them he wasn’t really eating. They told me he was probably adjusting to his new environment but as I have had him for 5 days now I’m going to give them a call as I don’t want him to go long without eating enough!

 

[Quinsation]

I have found it best to ignore what the bag says. If I fed my dogs the amount the bag says, they would be blimps.
My dogs are all 35-50 lbs (age 13 months, 2 years & 6 1/2 years)
They eat 1/2 cup twice a day.

As long as your puppy is growing nicely and isn't skinny, I would say he's fine.

My last 2 puppies have been very picky eaters until they were 6-8months old. I mixed in a small amount of canned food until they started eating better.

 

[sheaisidore]

I’d greatly appreciate some help! I just got my 8 week old miniature dachshund. He is wonderful but will barely eat- especially the food his breeder had him on (hills science) I’ve been switching him to Carna4 and he seems be more enthusiastic about that. The thing is, he still never finishes his food. I want to give exact calculations. I try to feed him 2/3-3/4 cup of food every day. After he “finishes” his meal, I remeasure to determine how much he eats. He is eating roughly 1/3 cup of food the whole day. Is this enough? He is only 3.4 lbs but the calculations that the breeder gave and the recommendations on the bags of food have him eating double that. Can 1/3 cup really be enough for him? He is eating 2 tablespoons or so every meal.

I would be feeding at least four meals a day at this age for a smaller breed puppy.

 

[DaySleepers]

The poster hasn't been back since they started this thread four months ago, so I'm closing this to further replies. Feel free to start your own thread, or join in any of our current discussions!